Low profile non-clogging non-polluting surface treating pads, assemblies and methods

ABSTRACT

Low profile wash pads, usable alone or with other like pads in a module array, are disclosed whereby one or more motor driven or motorless vehicles may be wheeled onto or across (or other object placed upon) a full drainage impervious washing platform such that substantially all spent wash liquid and removed debris are caused to flow off from the washing platform to an edge collector or gutter. Debris accumulation at the washing platform is avoided and processing of gutter-contained spent wash liquid and removed debris can occur in offset relation to and without interfering with ongoing washing on the washing platform. Several modes for processing the drainage comprising spent wash liquid and removed debris contained in the gutter are disclosed, one mode comprising automated processing using a screw conveyor.

This application is a continuation of our co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/884,361, filed 2 Jul. 2004, now pending, whichapplication is a continuation-in-part of our co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/798,426, filed 2 Mar. 2001, now U.S. Pat. No.6,799,591.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of surface treatingequipment including washing debris of various types from vehicles andother equipment and, more particularly, to low profile, non-clogging,pollution free pads, assemblies and related methods by which vehiclesand other objects are cleaned and/or surface treated.

BACKGROUND

In the past, assemblies upon which motor driven and motorless vehiclesand other equipment have been placed for washing debris from theexterior thereof have experienced problems and suffer disadvantages,among which are: (1) are complex and difficult to assemble anddisassemble; (2) are not unitarily portable from location-to-location;(3) do not discharge substantially all of the removed debris from thewashing site resulting in clogging of the assembly and down time tounclog; (4) do not efficiently remove, contain and control substantiallyall of the separated debris and all of the used wash liquid to a siteremote from the washing site; (5) are labor intensive in assembling anddisassembling; (6) do not allow continued washing while earlier removedand contained debris is loaded and transported to land fill or otherdisposal sites; (7) do not accommodate modular enlargement; (8) do not,in an effective and simplified way, segregate spent wash liquid forreused from removed and contained solid debris destined for land fill orother storage; (9) do not use only influent wash liquid to remove fromthe assembly substantially all debris displaced on the assembly at thewashing site during the vehicle washing phase; and (10) do not providefor automated processing of contained spent wash liquid and removed andcontained debris.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In brief summary, the present invention overcome or substantiallyalleviate problems of the past in respect to assemblies upon or overwhich motorless and motor driven vehicles and other equipment, includingvehicles and other equipment of great weight and are positioned ordisplaced and washed to remove debris or otherwise surface treated.Debris is not limited to dirt, but can be a substance desired to beremoved from the exterior and/or interior of a vehicle or otherequipment. The invention also applies to surface treating of vehiclesand other equipment. Surface treatment may comprise but is not limitedto phosphatizing steel parts by painting. A low profile pad, usablealone or with other like pads in a module array, is provided whereby oneor more motor driven or motorless vehicles and other equipment may bewheeled over gently-inclined ramps onto or across a full drainageimpervious washing site such that substantially all spent wash liquidand substantially all removed debris are caused to flow away from thewashing site to and be temporarily contained in an edge collector orgutter. Wheelless heavy equipment can be lifted and lowered onto andlater lifted from the washing site. Thus, debris accumulation at thewashing site is avoided and processing of gutter-contained spent washliquid and removed debris can occur without interfering with ongoingwashing on the washing site. Several modes for processing spent washliquid and removed debris delivered to the gutter are available, onemode comprising automated processing. Certain embodiments of the presentinvention can be moved as a unit from place-to-place, withoutdisassembly. Heating for sub freezing use is an option. Vertical wallsand a roof, with and without lighted panels, if desired, to contain washspray are included in some embodiments. Traction improving features areprovided in some embodiments. Washing may be of any known type, e.g.pressure, hand, steam, automatic, and is intended to include any form ofsurface treatment with a liquid effluent to be removed from the pad.

With the foregoing in mind, is it is a primary object of the presentinvention to overcome or substantially alleviate problems of the past inrespect to assemblies, and related methodology, upon or over whichvehicles, including vehicles of great weight, and other equipment arepositioned or displaced and exteriorly washed to remove debris orsurface treated.

It is another paramount object to provide low profile vehicle wash pads,and related methods, usable individually or collectively with other likepads in a module array.

Another significant object is the provision of vehicle wash padscomprising an impervious top, and related methods, the pads being usableindividually or arrayed collectively, whereby one or more motor drivenor motorless vehicles may be wheeled over gently sloping ramps upon oracross (or other equipment placed thereon) to provide full drainage fromthe top such that substantially all spent wash liquid and substantiallyall removed debris are caused to flow to and be confined in an edgegutter away from the washing site so that debris accumulation at thewashing site is avoided.

Another object of importance is the provision of low profile wash pads,and related methods, whereby essentially all spent wash liquid anddebris are displaced collectively during washing to a pad edge and intoan offset gutter whereby the gutter-contained spent wash liquid anddebris removal can occur without interfering with ongoing washing at thewashing site.

Another object of value is the provision of wash pads, and relatedmethods, whereby spent wash liquid and removed debris are displaced toan edge gutter and processed.

A further object of the invention is the provision of low profilevehicle wash pads, and related methods, which can be used alone ortogether in a module array and where individual pads can be unitarilymoved from place-to-place without disassembly.

Additional objects of primary importance is to provide vehicle wash padshaving one or more of the following features: (1) non-complex and easyto manufacture (2) are individually unitarily portable fromlocation-to-location without disassembly; (3) causes dischargesubstantially all of the removed debris from a washing site therebypreventing clogging of the assembly and down time; (4) efficient in theremoval, containment, and control of substantially all of the separateddebris and used wash liquid; (5) are not labor intensive in assemblingand relocating; (6) allow continued washing while earlier removed andcontained debris is loaded and transported to land fill or otherdisposal sites; (7) accommodate modular enlargement; (8) provide, in aneffective and simplified way, segregation of spent wash liquid forreused from removal and contained solid debris destined for land fill orother storage; (9) use only influent wash liquid to remove from theimpervious top of the assembly substantially all debris displacedthereon during the vehicle washing phase; (10) provides automation forthe discharge and processing of contained spent wash liquid and removedand contained debris; (11) provides for drive through washing of debrisfrom vehicles; (12) provides for heating of the wash pad and gutter foroperation in sub-freezing conditions; (13) provides anti-freezingfeatures for cold temperature use, (14) provides for wall and, ifdesired, ceiling confinement of random wash spray; (15) provides forillumination of wash process by wall and/or ceiling installed lightpanels; and (16) provides for improved traction for vehicles and/oroperators.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic, diagrammatically illustrating certain features ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a unitary, low profile vehicle wash pad inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective similar to FIG. 2, further illustratingperipheral walls by which stray spray is contained;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of an array of modularly combined vehicle washpads assembled in edge-to-edge relation and further comprising edgewalls for containing stray spray;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken along lines 5-5 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken along lines 6-6 ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 7 illustrates one way by which impervious low profile vehicle washpads in accordance with the present invention may be fabricated and alsoshowing male/female connectors for placement of the peripheral walls ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a cross section of a modified impervious top surface-definingelement usable in fabricating vehicle wash pads in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section showing, in greaterdetail, the elevated vehicle supporting segments and the flow-definingchannels of the top surface-defining element of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective of one type of removable and portable ramp bywhich vehicles are rolled between the ground and one or more wash padsof the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates in enlarged exploded fragmentary perspective anothertype of ramp in accordance with the principles of the present invention,by which vehicles can be wheeled onto and off vehicle washing pads;

FIGS. 12-15 illustrate how vehicle wash pads in accordance with thepresent invention may be used alone or in a modular array in conjunctionwith one or more sets of ramps;

FIG. 16 is a perspective of a single vehicle wash pad in accordance withthe present invention with expanded metal grating superimposed over anundulating top element;

FIGS. 17-20 are enlarged perspectives illustrating one manner in whichspray-confining walls may be constructed for peripheral placement aroundto extend above vehicle wash pads, in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 21 illustrates one way in which vertical spray containing walls maybe securely connected to a vehicle wash pad in accordance with thepresent invention at a corner where the collective wall forms a 90degree angle;

FIG. 22 illustrates in perspective one form of gutter to whichsubstantially all spent wash liquid and removed debris is displaced forcontainment and processing;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary perspective showing a filter and as a sump pumpwithin the gutter of FIG. 22 by which liquid is clarified and,thereafter, removed from the gutter;

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary perspective of a weir which placed in thegutter of FIG. 20 for assisting in clarifying liquids from solidsdeposited therein;

FIG. 25 is another form of gutter to which essentially all of the spentwash liquid and removed debris is directed at an edge of a vehicle washpad in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective of the gutter of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a side elevation view of equipment by which removed debrisand spent wash liquid in the gutter of FIG. 25 may be processed;

FIG. 27A is a fragmentary cross section of a second drainage conveyersystem embodying principles of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged perspective of the upper output end of the beltconveyer illustrated in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective of a part of the auger orscrew conveyer illustrated in FIG. 27; and

FIG. 30 is a cross section illustrating the relationship between theinterior of the gutter of FIG. 23 and the screw conveyer of FIG. 25;

FIG. 31 diagrammatically illustrates in fragmentary perspective featuresof the present invention by which a moving vehicle on a pad may bewashed and scrubbed using fixed automatic spray nozzles and rotatingscrubbers; and

FIG. 32 is a fragmentary cross section showing use of abrasive strips orcoating to improve vehicle and operator traction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed toward the provision of low-profile,non-clogging, pollution free wash pads, assemblies, and related methodsby which vehicles and other objects are cleaned using a wash liquid orsurface treated. All types of vehicles, including vehicles and otherequipment of great weight, are accommodated on a single pad or an arrayof pads, either in a fixed position or displaced there while all orselected portions of the exterior or interior of the vehicle and otherequipment are washed to remove debris. The vehicles and other equipmentmay be motor driven or motorless and include, but are not limited to,tractor-trailer rigs. The present invention causes substantially allspent and/or surface treating liquid and all substantially removeddebris to flow collectively from the washing site as a direct result ofwashing on top of the pad or pads into an edge collector where thisdrainage is temporarily contained. Thus, the washing and/or surfacetreating phenomenon on top of the pad or array of pads may occursimultaneous with processing of gutter-contained spent surface cleaningor treating liquid and removed debris at the edge collector. Thecollected liquid and debris may be processed in any one of several ways,including but not limited to mechanical displacement and segregation,with or without biological absorption, which may include reclaiming andreusing of the liquid.

An advantage of the present invention is that low-profile washing padsare provided which may be individually moved unitarily from place toplace without disassembly, for example, by use of a forklift. Otherfeatures may comprise spray containing vertical walls, with or without aceiling, heating for use in sub-freezing temperatures, illumination,ventilation and improved surface traction for vehicles and/or operators.

Reference is now made to the drawing wherein like numerals are used todesignate like parts throughout. Specifically, FIG. 1 diagrammaticallyillustrates features provided by the present invention whereby avehicle, generally designated 50, is displaced up a gently inclinedramp, generally designated 52, so as to rest upon the top surface 54 ofa low profile wash pad, generally designated 56. The top element 54 ofthe wash pad 56 is impervious so that substantially all wash liquid andsubstantially all of the debris removed from the vehicle 50 flow asdrainage to gently sloped flow path defining channels 58 and thence intoan edge gutter 60 located below the pad 56 along one edge thereof, butoffset from the washing site. Channels 58 accelerate the flow ordrainage. Accordingly, with the present invention, there is no materialaccumulation of debris of any type on pad 56 and the gutter or collector60 becomes a temporary repository for the drainage.

In any one of several ways, the drainage displaced into the gutter orcollector 60 is segregated into clarified liquid 62 and particulates orsolids 64. The segregated solids 64 are typically transported to anddeposited at a suitable landfill site, consistent with governingenvironmental requirements. Clarified liquid 62 is recycled usingfiltration 66 to create a source of recycled liquid 68 or pretreated fordischarge to sanitary sewer or other approved disposal method. Recycledliquid 68, supplemental liquid 70, as needed, and cleaning agent 72 arecombined to form wash liquid 74, to which pressure via pump 76 isapplied to deliver the pressurized wash liquid 74 to spray nozzle 78shown as being hand held by an operator 80 standing on the pad 56. Theoperator directs the washing spray from nozzle 78, as desired, upon anyand all desired areas of the exterior of the vehicle to clean the same.The operator 80 may also utilize hand held manual scrub brushes, handheld mechanical scrub brushes, sponges, shammies or any other itemuseful in assisting in the removal of substantially all of the debrisfrom the exterior locations of vehicle 50. Washing, however, may be ofany known type, e.g. pressure, hand, steam, automatic, etc.

When the wash pad 56 is utilized during sub-freezing temperatures, thetop element comprising support surfaces 54 and flow channel grooves 58may be heated in any desired way such as by heating tubes or coils 59placed contiguous therewith. A heated fluid of suitable temperature maybe caused to flow through tubes 59 in order to maintain the temperatureof the top element 54 of wash pad 56 above freezing. Likewise, thegutter 60 may be equipped with a heater 61 of any suitable type,including but not limited to, one or more tubes through which a heatedfluid is caused to flow so that water delivered to the collector 60 ismaintained above freezing.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which illustrates a single padembodiment of the present invention, generally designated 90. Single pad90 comprises a top impervious undulating surface 92 comprised ofalternating ridges or rails 92 and grooves or flow channels 93 wherebythe ridges 92 are self cleaning and support a vehicle and/or otherobjects and the grooves 93 accommodate flow of drainage comprisingsubstantially all of the spent wash liquid and substantially all of theremoved debris to a collector or gutter (not shown) disposed below thegrooves 93 and under one edge of the pad 90. While not required, tofacilitate improved traction for human operators, side walkways 94 ofexpanded metal grating may be utilized. If desired, the entire topsurface 92 may be covered by expanded metal grating, which compriseslarge enough openings so that substantially all of the spent wash liquidand substantially all removed debris pass through the grating 94 andinto the grooves of top 92 and thence into the collector. The vehicle isramped onto and off from the impervious top 92 of the pad 90 utilizinggently inclined, but low profile ramps 96. Ramps 96 are illustrated asbeing secured to the pad, but removable. Permanent ramps could beprovided. Ramps 96 are described in greater detail below. The pad may beset below grade, thereby eliminating the need for ramps.

The pad 90 may be placed upon a flat surface, such as a floor within abuilding or a paved parking lot. Alternatively, pad 90 may be placedupon a generally flat area of ground. The surface 92 is very gentlysloped to one edge to accommodate the above-mentioned flow of drainagein the grooves 93 and thence into the collector. Although not presentlypreferred, this may be achieved by manufacturing pad 90 so that, when ona level surface, impervious top 92 has the desired gentle slope. In thealternative and preferably, top 92 may be manufactured so as to behorizontal when pad 90 is horizontal, in which case the surface uponwhich the pad 90 is placed to accommodate vehicle washing must supplythe gentle slope required for flow of drainage through the grooves intothe collector.

When it is desired to move pad 90 from one location to another, normallythe removable ramps 96 are lifted manually or by using a hand truck or aforklift. The lifting disconnects each ramp 96 from the pad 90. The pad90 is thereafter lifted as a unit without disassembly using a suitablemachine, for example, a forklift whereby the forks of the forklift areinserted through properly spaced slots 98 in the frame 100 of pad 90.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3 which illustrates once more the singlepad 90, constructed as described above, to which two side walls 102 andone end wall 104, constructed in any suitable way, have been added tocontain the sprayed wash liquid to a region directly above the pad 90.Side walls 102 may be utilized with or without end wall 104 inconfigurations, where, for example, the pad 90 is used as a drivethrough pad. Walls 102 and 104 are desirable when the pad 90 is utilizedwithin a building where other work is ongoing immediately adjacent tothe pad 90 or out of doors where stray wash liquid spray needs to beconfined and contained.

Walls 102 and 104 will be described hereinafter in greater detail. Walls102 and 104 may be of any suitable size to serve their intended purposeas determined by those skilled in the art. Walls 102 and 104 should beof material which does not corrode or deteriorate when exposed to washliquid and debris removed from vehicles and other objects.

If desired a ceiling 105 may be superimposed above the pad over thewalls 102 and 104 to insure that liquid and debris are not dischargedover the walls beyond the wash region. Illumination 107 of acommercially available type may be provided as desired, with and withoutwalls and with or without a ceiling. Vacuumized ventilation at 109 mayalso be provided.

A motorless vehicle 105 having been or to be washed is shown in FIG. 3,resting on some of the support surfaces 92 of low profile pad 90, afterhaving been displaced up spaced low profile, locked but removable ramps96.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 which illustrates a modular array,generally designated 110, formed of a plurality of pads 90, placededge-to-edge on a suitable surface or on the ground. A cap rail 179covers the interface between successive pads in the direction of travel.Since each pad is illustrated as being pad 90, no further description ofany of the pads of FIG. 4 is deemed necessary, with one exception. Theforklift slots 98 are illustrated as being juxtaposed to the previouslymentioned ramps 96 so as to be perpendicular to the ridges 92 andgrooves 93 rather than parallel.

Drainage could be accommodated using two side edge collectors 60, bysloping the array 110 slightly in opposite directions from the centerthereof. However, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, a centralcollector 60 is provided so that the pads 90 illustrated to the right inFIG. 4 are sloped slightly toward the left or toward the center of thearray 110 and the pads 90 to the left as shown in FIG. 4 are slopedslightly to the right or toward the center. Accordingly, substantiallyall of the wash water and the debris removed from the vehicle 50 flow tothe center of the array 110 and into the central gutter or collector 60for containment and ultimate segregation between solids and liquid, asexplained herein in greater detail. The collector 60 is illustrated ascomprising a lid or cover 112.

By utilizing unitary individual pads 90 to form arrays of variousconfigurations, the size of the wash site can be expanded axially and/ortransversely to accommodate vehicles and other equipment larger than canbe accommodated with a single pad. An array also accommodates, incertain embodiments, a drive through approach to utilizing pads inaccordance with the present invention to wash vehicles, large and small,as the vehicles are successively displaced across the array of pads. Insome circumstances, a single pad will accommodate a unidirectional drivethrough approach.

Walls 102 and 104 extend in vertically erect positions around threesides of the perimeter or periphery of the array 110 so as to containmisdirected sprayed wash liquid to the region immediately above thearray 110. A roof or ceiling 105 (shown in FIG. 3) is optional as is theprovision of lighting 107 and/or ventilation 109.

Simply stated, vehicle 50, shown in FIG. 4, is wheel displaced in areverse direction onto the top surfaces 92 of the array 110 so that thefour wheels of vehicle 50 rest, as illustrated, on four separate pads90. Washing may be accomplished in any suitable way, including, but notlimited to the mode illustrated in FIG. 1, with substantially all of thewash liquid and substantially all debris removed from the vehicle 50flowing collectively as drainage along the grooves 93 between topsurfaces 92 of the pads 90 into the central collector 60.

Portable ramps 96 accommodate ramping of the vehicle 50 onto and, afterbeing washed, off from the array 110.

Reference is made to FIG. 6 which illustrates the central gutter 60 andits coverplate 112. Coverplate 112 is inverted U-shaped in cross sectionand simply rests on its side flanges 119 on opposed angle supports 113and can be manually lifted for access to the interior of the collector60. Angle supports 113 are connected, as by welding or in any othersuitable way, to opposed aligned pads. The top surface of the coverplate112 is illustrated as being flush with the vehicle support surfaces 92.

As stated before, the flow is toward the center and into gutter 60 fromall pads of the array illustrated in FIG. 4. Drainage from each groove93 falls by force of gravity into the gutter 60, which comprisesparallel side walls 115, spaced from each other a distance greater thanthe distance between the two adjacent top elements of opposed wash padsso that all drainage falls into the hollow interior of the gutter 60. Acircular discharge hole or other configuration 322 is disposed at oneend of the gutter 60 of FIG. 6. The other end comprises a rectangularopening 323. See FIG. 4. Openings 322 and 323 may of be any typeproviding an outlet.

The side walls 115 are integrally connected to a bottom wall 117 (FIG.6) so as to define a leak proof container permitting flow only fromopening 323. Typically a sump pump or like mechanism is associated withthe lower end of the gutters or collectors 60 of FIGS. 6 and 22.

Collector walls are illustrated as being respectively connected by boltsor rivets 121 to the frames 100 with which they are contiguous. Dripedges 156 are provided above each wall 115.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which illustrates one way of forming orfabricating a wash pad 90 in accordance with the present invention. Theassembly 90, as fragmentarily depicted in FIG. 7 must have substantialload bearing strength under circumstances where the pad 90 is calledupon to carry substantial weight, such as when earth moving equipment isdisplaced thereon and retained there for the purpose of removing debrisfrom the exterior thereof. Because the wash liquid often comprises water(but not necessarily so), it is important that the pad 90 of FIG. 7 notbe subject to rust. Thus, the elements forming the assembled pad 90(FIG. 7) may be formed of rolled sheet steel, which elements orcomponents are coated with an anti-corrosion material, such as acrylic,high-molecular weight polyurethane, baked polymeric or other paint orany other suitable substance. The elements themselves may also becomprised of high strength synthetic resinous materials, provided thestrength is adequate to support the load, which eliminates any need fora coating.

As mentioned before, the wash pad 90 comprises a substructure support inthe form of a rigid frame 100 circumscribing the underside of theperimeter of the pad 90. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the frame 100comprises channel members 150, the web 152 of which is illustrated asbeing vertically directed, while the spaced flanges 154 are generallyhorizontally directed. The lower flange 154 is illustrated as beingsurface or ground engaging. The channel elements 150, forming the frame100, may extend along and help define the edges of the pad 90, with thechannels 150 being secured one to the next at their points ofintersection, using, for example, a weldment, where the channels 150 areformed of steel. The channel 150 located at the low drainage edge of thepad 90 is shown as being equipped with a drip edge member 156 secured atsite or interface 158 to the web 152 as by welding so that essentiallyall drainage from the flow channels 93 is deposited by gravity and forceof flow into collector 60 (not shown in FIG. 7) disposed immediatelybelow the drip edge 156. One or more plates 160, formed of steel, forexample, having a suitable thickness to provide ample strength, arecontiguously superimposed over the top surface of top flanges 154 ofeach channel 150 so as to entirely cover the hollow region within thechannels 150. The plate 160 may be a single sheet of steel, for example,or a series of sheets suitably connected as, for example, at lap joint162, shown in FIG. 7. The top surface 164 of the plate or plates 160, atselected locations, define the grooves or flow paths 93, for the purposeexplained above.

The ridges 54, upon which the vehicle is supported before, during andafter the washing phase are defined by a series of spaced invertedgenerally U-shaped members 170. Each U-shaped member 170 comprises notonly a flat ridge piece region 54, but a hollow concealed interior 172and oppose inwardly directed flanges 174, where each inverted U-shapedmember 170 is rigidly connected to the associated plate 160, as, forexample, by welding.

In circumstances where a wall 102 is desired above drip edge 156, avertically directed hollow collar 176 of limited length is provided.Collar 176 is suitably secured in any satisfactory way to the pad 90,such as by welding, so as to be rigidly positioned as illustrated inFIG. 7. This accommodates removable receipt of a suitably dimensionedand shaped downwardly directed wall post 178. Post 178 is downwardlyappended to a wall frame 182, forming a part of wall 102 and furthercomprises a horizontal angle member 184 and a vertical angle member 186rigidly connected together and to post 178, for example by welding, atsites 188.

It is to be appreciated that pad 90 can be constructed in any one ofmany ways, the embodiment of FIG. 7 being only one of those ways.

FIG. 21 illustrates the manner in which a corner of the wash pad 90 ofFIG. 7 may be equipped so as to provide two post receptacles 176 at onecorner to accommodate support at the end of one wall 104 in the longerof the two post receptacles 176 and support of a second wall 102,perpendicularly disposed in respect to wall 104, via the shorter of thetwo post receptacles 176. Both collars 176 are secured to the pad 90 inany suitable rigid fashion, such as by welding.

With continued reference to FIG. 21, in situations where an array ofwash pads are going to be used in a given installation so that there areat least two pads in the direction of travel, the other hollow postreceptor 176, as shown to the right in FIG. 21, is eliminated. The lastvehicle supporting ridge 54 comprises an end wall 177, which isgenerally vertical and flush with the lower frame 60. The second of thetwo axially consecutive pads is similarly constructed so that theleading edge of the frame 100 of the first pad is contiguously flushwith the trailing end of the frame 100 of the second pad, in the mannershown in FIG. 5. While fastening the two pads together, usingconventional fasteners is an available option, ordinarily such is notrequired since the overall weight of each pad will preserve thecontiguous relationship at interface 181 between the leading end of oneand the trailing end of the other. If desired, a U-shaped canopy and orcap rail 179 (FIG. 5) may be positioned over the interface between thetwo contiguous pads and bolt secured at 183 to prevent flow of washliquid and/or debris into the interface 181.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which illustrate a further wash padembodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention.More specifically, in lieu of the top element of the pad 90 shown inFIGS. 7 and 21, the top element generally designated 200 in FIG. 8,comprising one piece, may be used. Top element may be formed ofstainless steel. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, top element 200 maybe an anti-corrosion coated sheet of steel having a satisfactorythickness and strength to be placed over the frame 100 to provide amplesupport for vehicles displaced onto, across and off a wash padcomprising top element 200. Top element 200 may be formed by rolling aflat sheet of stainless steel through a roller mill to create theconfiguration shown in FIG. 8. Where the rolled top element 200 isformed of steel capable of oxidation, it may be coated, as shown in FIG.9, to obviate erosion due to atmospheric exposure, wash liquid anddebris removed from vehicles and other objects cleaned on the wash padcomprising top element 200, in accordance with the present invention.

Top element 200 comprises a plurality of spaced flat ridges 202interrupted by V-shaped flow path defining grooves 204, each exposedbetween successive ridges 202. While illustrated as being of uniformsize in FIGS. 8 and 9, the ridges 202 and the grooves or flow channels204 may be of non-uniform size and/or spacing, if desired. The functionof the top element 200 is to provide an impervious layer by which amplesupport strength is available for vehicles and other items, includingheavy vehicles, in such a way that the wash liquid utilized to removedebris from the vehicle and/or other equipment and substantially all ofthe removed debris flow along flow paths 208 (FIG. 9) defined by theV-shaped grooves 204 at an accelerated velocity to one edge of the washpad and thence into collector 60. It is to be noted that theanti-corrosion coating 210 mentioned above is illustrated on both sidesof element 200 in FIG. 9.

The top element of wash pads in accordance with the present inventionmay comprise other shapes and configurations by which substantially allwash liquid and substantially all removed debris flows as drainage fromthe top element of the pad to a collector or gutter.

Gently inclined ramp 52 (FIG. 1) may be of any suitable low profileconfiguration by which the vehicle may be ramped onto and/or off a washpad 56. While ramps may be used which are integrally fastened to theedge of a wash pad, it is presently preferred, for mobility purposes,that the connection between the ramp 52 and the wash pad be reliable butreleasable, accommodating placement and intentional removal of the ramponly as desired. It is also helpful for the ramp 52 to be connected toan edge of the pad in such a fashion that it may be machine lifted intoand removed from its releasable association with a wash pad.

One suitable ramp 52 is illustrated in FIG. 10. It comprises a flat base220, shown as being rectangular in configuration and comprisinglongitudinally directed structural members and transverse structuralmembers connected together as by welding. The ramp 52 of FIG. 10 alsocomprises top structure which is inclined or angularly disposed so as tobe near the ground at one end and of ample height at the other to haveessentially the same elevation as the top of the wash pad with which itis associated. The top structure 222 is likewise formed of longitudinaland cross members with expended metal grating 224 superimposed thereonto provide improved traction. The angle 226 between the base 220 and thetop structure 222 is selected to provide a fit between the ground andthe top of the wash pad as shown in FIG. 1.

Vertical columns 228 of varying length provide for a transfer of loadfrom the top structure 222 to the base 220. The open frame nature of theramp 52 of FIG. 10 accommodates placement and removal of the entire rampas a unit utilizing a forklift, the prongs of which may be insertedbetween the columns 228. At the higher end of the ramp of FIG. 10,opposed L-shaped hooks 230 are provided with one leg of each beingsecured as by welding to the corners of the upper or top structure 222so as to provide a space between the upper structure 222 and the other,downwardly directed leg of each hook 230. The hooks 230 are lowered overan edge bar 232 of the associated wash pad (FIG. 4) to secure the rampsto the wash pad so as to avoid inadvertent separation during use.

In lieu of the wedge-shaped ramp 52 of FIG. 10, other forms of ramps maybe utilized, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 11. Ramp 52 of FIG. 11is likewise wedge-shaped and comprises a rectangular proximal end formedof a plate 240, triangular side plates 242 and interior reinforcinglattice of rectangular structural members 244. The lattice interiorframe 244 is enclosed by the side wall plates 242, a bottom rectangularplate 246 and a top rectangular plate of similar size 248. Thecomponents forming the wedge-shaped ramp 52 of FIG. 11 are preferably ofsteel and are welded together at each interface between components.

The side walls 242 are illustrated as being equipped with forkliftapertures 250 whereby the ramp 52 of FIG. 11 may be unitarily liftedaway from an associated pad and moved by a single machine from place toplace without disassembly.

The height of the proximal end 242 is selected to match the height ofthe wash pad with which it is to be associated. A top portion ofproximal end 240 at site 252 contiguously receives flange 254 of atransverse channel 256 in connected relation, such as by welding. Thus,channel web 256 cantilevers away from end 240 such that a second flange258 may be hooked over and, therefore, releasibly secured to an edge barof a wash pad. This is similar to hooking flange 258 over the bar 232,shown in FIG. 4.

While top plate 248 is illustrated as being solid, it could be replacedby expanded metal grating. In the alternative, expanded metal gratingcould be superimposed over plate 248.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 12 through 15 which illustrate variousways one or more wash pads, in accordance with the present invention,may be used individually and collectively to provide for washing ofdebris from vehicles and other objects. FIG. 12 illustrates utilizationof a wash pad 56 in accordance with the present invention where theundulations comprising surfaces 54 and channels 58 run in the directionof vehicle movement onto and off from the pad 56. Drainage is from leftto right along a gentle slope to collector 60. The ramps 96 of FIG. 12are illustrated as being removably placed next to each other and hookedto one edge of the pad to accommodate vehicles having a short transversedistance between wheels. Specifically, the hooks 230 of the ramps 96extending over the wash pad bar 232, preventing inadvertent separationbut accommodating removal as desired.

FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 12, but shows an additional pad 56 beingaxially aligned and contiguous with a first pad 56 at non-fastenedinterface 260. A collector 60 is not shown, but would be at a drainageedge downstream and to the right as shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 illustrates placement of two or more wash pads 56 in contiguousconsecutive edge-to-edge relation, with the flat ramps 96 transverselyspaced a greater distance from each other, with drainage to one sideedge and thence into one or more collectors 60. Expanded metal grating,to improve operator traction is illustrated as being superimposed overparts of the surfaces 54 to create an operator catwalk, the gratingaccommodating movement of wash water and debris therethrough into thedrainage grooves 58.

The embodiment of FIG. 14 utilizes a drive through principle where avehicle ramps onto surfaces 54 utilizing one set of gently inclinedramps 96 at one end edge of the array of wash pads 56 and accommodatesramping off the wash pads at an opposite end edge utilizing the othertwo ramps 96. Washing on surfaces 54 in the embodiment of FIG. 14 canoccur either while the vehicle is stationary, while it is moving, orsome of both. FIG. 14 further illustrates that a barrier to flow, suchas rectangular bar 57, may be used at the high edge of the pad inaccordance with the present invention to prevent loss of drainage on thehigh side cause by the pressure displacement of the wash liquid.

FIG. 15 illustrates a modular array of a plurality of wash pads 56having a plurality of pads arranged transversely to vehicle displacementthereacross and a plurality of pads arranged parallel to thedisplacement of a vehicle. The embodiment of FIG. 15 is substantiallysimilar to FIG. 4, with the slope of the array being toward the centralcollector 60 as described earlier. The displacement of the vehicle isunidirectional, on a drive through single direction basis. Eight rampsare provided, four at each end and the sets of two to accommodate largervehicles with wide tires. Specifically, each contiguous set of ramps 96allow a single wide wheel vehicle to ramp onto or off from the array.Washing of debris from the large vehicles supported on surfaces 54 canbe on a stationary vehicle basis, a moving basis or a combination of thetwo.

Reference is made to FIG. 16 which differs from the embodiment of FIG. 2in the direction of the drain and in that the metal grating 94 coversthe entirety of the undulating top comprising support surfaces 54 andgrooves 58. The configuration of the wash pad of FIG. 16, accordingly,accommodates immediate passage of wash water and debris through thegrating 94 into the axially disposed grooves 58 and thence intocollector 60.

Reference is now made to FIG. 17 through 20, which collectivelyillustrate one way in which walls may be assembled for erection upon oneor more wash pads in accordance with the present invention to confinespray liquid and removed debris from vehicles and other objects to aregion directly above the pad or array of pads. It is to be appreciatedthat any type of wall may be used and, therefore, the wall componentsdepicted in FIGS. 7 through 20 and hereinafter described are merelyrepresentative. Because individual wash pads may be of different sizesand arrays modularly combined wash pads may likewise have varyingdimensions, vertical walls above the top impervious element or elementsmust be sized consistent with the size of the pad installation.

FIG. 17 illustrates how a peripheral wall frame, generally designated280, may be formed. Specifically, mitred lengths of angle iron may beused to form an open rectangular frame into which wall sections areplaced. One element is top bar 282, a second is notched bottom bar 284and a third and fourth are opposite hand side angles 286 and 288. Whenassembled at mitred corners 290 at the top as by welding and at bluntends 292 where welding also secures the lower corners, a squarerectangular frame is formed. This frame is preferably protected againstrusting and other forms of corrosion by a suitable anti-corrosioncoating, using commercially available technology. Frame 280 isconstructed so as to internally receive two or more smaller framemembers, generally designated 294 and shown in FIG. 18. Each sub-frame294 comprises a top bar 296, a drip edge 156 to assist in displacingspent liquid and debris into the collector and opposite band sidemembers or columns 300. A planar barrier 302, such as a sheet ofcorrosion resistant plastic, is anchored within the frame 294 so as tobe impervious to liquid. Two of more of the sub-frames 294 are anchoredwithin frame 280 of FIG. 17 in vertical edge to vertical edge imperviousrelation in any satisfactory commercially available way, to form a wallsegment. As many frames 282, with sub-frames 294 confined therein as arenecessary, are utilized to form, collectively, one of the walls. Thesame approach may be utilized to create all other walls. An angle member304 may be placed at each 90 degree wall intersection.

The wall segments may be post mounted to the wash pad or pads in themanner described in conjunction with FIGS. 7 and 21.

The collector or gutter 60 of FIG. 1 may take any one of several formsand is normally used along one pad edge, although the present inventionis susceptible of configurations which use more than one collector 60 atany desired pad edge. The objective of the collector 60 is to providecomplete containment of substantially all of the spent wash liquid andsubstantially all of the removed-debris as it flows, as an effluentdrainage, from the flow channels 58 of the impervious wash pad 56. Inaddition to containment, collector 60 functions to segregate liquidsfrom solids to accommodate, when desired, recycling of the liquid anddisposal of the solids at a landfill or other site, in anenvironmentally acceptable fashion.

The collector 60 of FIG. 22 comprises an impervious box with anaxially-directed notch 320 along one of the two elevated corners throughwhich the above-mentioned drainage flows from the pad into the collector60 from the wash pad. The notch 320 may be placed immediately below thedrip edge 156 (FIG. 7) to accommodate directionalized flow into thegenerally hollow interior of the gutter or collector 60. Flow or accessis permitted to the collector 60 of FIG. 22 only through the top orthrough apertures 322 at each end. The collector is otherwise sealed andimpervious.

The collector 60 of FIG. 22 comprises an axially directed side wall 324adjacent to the notch 320, which is rectangular and planar, a secondaxially-directed larger side wall 326 which has a height greater thanside wall 324 by an amount defined by notch 320, is rectangular in shapeand planar in form. Side walls 324 and 326 are illustrated as beingequally spaced one from another through their entire length and mergewith a bottom wall or floor 328 at impervious corners 330 and 332. Apair of opposite hand end plates 334 and 336 are integrally connected tothe aligned ends of members 324, 326 and 328 in an impervious way,except for the apertures in end plates 334 and 336. Because thecollector 60 is sloped in one direction, the upper aperture 322 isredundant.

Accordingly, the collector 60 is essentially an elongated box having ahollow interior. The collector 60 of FIG. 22 may comprise a filter 338(FIG. 23) may be placed within the hollow interior of the collector 60in such a way that the slightly sloped collector requires flow throughthe filter 338, allowing liquid downstream and holding solids upstream.The filter 338 may comprise a coalescing agent or material, whichcollects and retains all debris in the nature of petroleum products soas to accommodate recycling and reuse of the filtered wash liquid.

To help separate solids from wash liquid, one or more transverse weirsmay be placed in the slightly sloped collector 60. Any suitable weir maybe used, including but not limited to weir 342, illustrated in FIG. 24.All liquid being gravity displaced along the gently sloped collector 60accumulates to a certain height and then passes through slot 344 of weir342. Because solids are heavier than the wash liquid confined to thecollector 60, the solids settle to the bottom of the collector 60 whileclarified or substantially clarified liquid passes through the weir slot344.

The clarified liquid ultimately becomes an effluent at downstreamaperture 322. Alternatively, aperture 322 may be closed and acommercially available sump pump placed at the downstream end of thegutter 60 to remove and recycled the liquid for subsequent use in themanner illustrated in FIG. 1. The sump pump 345 may be in a catch basinwhich receives the liquid discharge issuing from aperture 322.

When it is desired to remove solid sediment from the collector 60 ofFIG. 22, a hinged flat top or cover 346 is pivoted at hinges 348 into anopen position and the solids which have accumulated in the collector 60are removed with a suitable tool, such as a shovel. The removed soliddebris is typically hauled to and discarded at an environmentallyapproved fill site.

When the lid 346 is closed, as illustrated in FIG. 22, along an edge ofa pad, safety in the use of wash pads in accordance with the presentinvention is enhanced because the top surface of the lid 346 allows theoperator to step thereon (intentionally or inadvertently) with low riskof injury.

FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate a modified form of gutter or collector 60,designed to process larger quantities of drainage. Much of gutter 60shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 is identical to the gutter 60 of FIG. 22 andhas been so enumerated in FIGS. 25 and 26. No further description ofthese features is necessary.

At spaced intervals, within the hollow interior of the collector 60 ofFIG. 25 is located a plurality of fixed floor engaging cradles 350, eachidentical to the others. Cradles 350 each have an arcuate upper surface352, upon which rests a matching curved chute 354. Chute 354 isillustrated in FIG. 26, but is removed from FIG. 25 for purposes ofclarity. However, in the assembled condition of FIG. 25, chute 354 restscontiguously upon and is fastened to each curved cradle surface 352.

The liquid and solid drainage passes through slot 320 of the collector60 of FIG. 25, as explained above, and engages the top surface of thechute 354. The accumulated drainage on the top surface of chute 354 cansimply be gravity and liquid flow displaced toward the lower of the twoends of the collector 60 and discharged, after which segregation ofliquids and solids can take place. Preferably and in the alternative, ascrew conveyor can be associated with the collector 60 of FIG. 25 andparticularly with the chute 354 for machine displacement of the drainageimmediately upon arriving at the collector 60 of FIGS. 25 and 26, in themanner explained hereinafter in conjunction with FIGS. 27, 29 and 30.

Reference is now made to FIG. 27, which shows an automated system bywhich drainage comprising substantially all spent wash liquid andsubstantially all debris removed from a vehicle or other object, afterbeing deposited or collected in gutter 60, is displaced immediatelyalong and therefrom using motorized equipment. Specifically, at thehigher of two ends of the gutter 60 of FIG. 25 is an anchored motor 360,the draft shaft of which turns a belt or chain drive 362, which in turnrotates a drive shaft 364 to which an auger or screw conveyor, generallydesignated 366 is non-rotatably fastened. The screw conveyor 366comprises at least one flight or blade 368 such that the turning of theblade 368 will displace along chute 354 either liquid and solidscollectively or solids without regard to liquid, depending upon thespacing, if any, between the outer edge of the helical blade 368 and theinterior surface of the chute 354. As a consequence drainage depositedin collector 60 is displaced from left to right, as viewed in FIG. 27,along the chute 354 to the outlet aperture 322, where the displaceddrainage falls by force of gravity and is processed as hereafterexplained.

While the edge of the helical blade 368 may be contiguous with chute 354or nearly so, so that all drainage is displaced as described above, itis presently preferred that a gap between the peripheral portion of theblade 368 and the top surface of the chute 354 be utilized. Thataccommodates displacement of substantially all of the solids comprisingthe drainage, with the liquid being permitted to flow beneath the screwconveyor at an increased velocity so as to carry with the flow residualsolids at the lower apex of the top surface of chute 354 to and throughthe effluent aperture 322. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 27, when theauger or screw conveyor 366 is rotating, there is little accumulation ofdrainage within the gutter 60 and particularly on the chute 354. Theembodiment of FIG. 27 better accommodates installations where asubstantial amount of wash water and removed debris are delivered togutter 60 and require more rapid processing. The gutter of FIG. 22 isdesigned to accommodate smaller quantities of drainage.

In reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, one auger embodiment of the presentinvention comprises a helical blade 368, integrally and non-rotatablysecured to the screw conveyor shaft 370 with stiff brush bristles 372being carried at the outer edge of the helical blade so as to sweepdebris from the chute to the extent the bristles 372 engage the topsurface of chute 354. In the embodiment of FIG. 30, where a spacing 374is caused to exist between the apex of the top surface of chute 354 andthe bristles 372, the contiguous sweeping is at the more uprightportions of the chute 374, as shown in FIG. 30.

The drainage effluent issuing from the effluent opening 322 in thecollector 60 of FIG. 27 falls by force of gravity onto a motor driven,angularly disposed conveyor 380, which comprises metal drive belt 382,made of porous metal or other porous material, comprising pivotablyconnected perforated conveyor sections and upright transverse slats 384interposed between the conveyor sections. The size of the openings inthe sections of the conveyor belt 382 determine the size of particlesare retained on the conveyor 380 and the size of particles along withthe liquid which pass through the conveyor into a repository sub groundlevel sump pump 386. The larger particles retained on the conveyor belt382 are prevented from rolling downward under force of gravity byengagement with the plurality of transverse slats 384, such that allsolids deposited on the conveyor 382 which do not pass therethrough aredelivered to the elevated distal end 388 and from thence, by gravityinto a repository 390 for solids. The repository may be a portablecollection box, a dump truck or any other suitable type of containment.The solids accumulated in repository 390 are ultimately transported anddeposited at landfill, in compliance with all environmentalrequirements.

Extensive description of the screw conveyor 366 and the conveyor 380 isnot necessary because these items are conventional and commerciallyavailable.

The liquid and solid drainage deposited in repository 386, which is anin-ground sump, may be accumulated and from time to time pump 392 may beactuated to displace both small particle solids and liquid throughdischarge tube 394 for processing in the manner generally set forth inFIG. 1, i.e. liquid clarification, settlement of solids, segregation ofclarified liquid from the settled solids, with the solids beingtransported to a suitable landfill and clarified liquid being filteredand recycled or discharged to a sanitary sewer for additional use.

While a specific type of commercially available conveyor is illustratedin FIG. 28, any suitable conveyor capable of accomplishing the purposefor which conveyor 380 is provided may be used.

In lieu of the belt conveyor 380, as shown in FIG. 27A, drainagedischarge from gutter 60 caused by screw conveyor 366 and chute 354 maybe received at a lower level of second screw conveyor system 381.

A screw or auger 383 of screw conveyor system 381 is spaced from thethroat a chute 385 so that only larger solids are displaced to the topof the conveyor system 381 and into container 390, while the smallersolids and liquid drain down the throat of the chute 385 into the sump386.

Reference is now made to FIG. 31, which illustrates that wash pads inaccordance with principles of the present invention lend themselves toutilization of fixed position or mechanically supported and movablespray nozzles 78 and machine driven scrubbers 396 to remove debris froma vehicle, motor-driven or motorless, as the vehicle is slowly displacedacross a wash pad by either rail or conveyor, or by a driver.Alternately the equipment to be washed may be stationary while the washnozzles and/or brushes move past the equipment to be washed.

FIG. 32 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention similar toFIG. 9 except the lower side of the top element 210 is not coated withcorrosion resistant material, but the top surface is coated withcorrosion resistant material 210 and, superimposed thereon are strips ofabrasive material 398 by which traction for both the vehicle and theoperator of the wash pad is significantly improved and the risk of aslip and fall accident is alleviated.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit of the central characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments therefore are to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

1. Apparatus for surface treating vehicles and other equipment,comprising: at least one pad positioned above ground level andcomprising: a support base; first and second sides; and a top surfacethat rests on the support base and includes a perimeter having at leastone peripheral edge, the top surface being impervious from the firstside to the second side, the top surface being configured to supportvehicles and other equipment on top of the impervious surface betweenthe first and second sides and drain liquid and solid particles to theat least one peripheral edge; a collector configured to collect theliquid and solid particles positioned on the top surface, at least aportion of the collector extending along a lateral side of the wash padand laterally outside the perimeter along the at least one peripheraledge of the top surface.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein thecollector is positioned below the at least one peripheral edge. 3.Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising segregating drainagestructure associated with the collector and configured to segregate theliquid and the solid particles.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3wherein the segregating drainage structure comprises at least one weirconfigured to provide gravity sedimentation of the solid particlestoward a bottom of the collector.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 2further comprising a mechanism for displacing the liquid and solidparticles collected in the collector to a discharge site for segregatingthe liquid from the solid particles.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 2wherein the collector comprises a curvilinear floor.
 7. Apparatusaccording to claim 2 further comprising a catch basin downstream of thecollector into which discharge from the collector is deposited such thatthe liquid and the solid particles flow into the catch basin. 8.Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising structure configuredto segregate the solid particles and the liquid in the catch basin,wherein the segregated liquid is available for reuse in washing. 9.Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising a pump associated withthe catch basin for pumping the liquid and solid particles from thecatch basin.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising anopenable cover superimposed over the at least one collector, wherein theopenable cover is operable between a closed position and an openposition.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a pumppositioned outside of the collector and configured to pump at least someof the liquid and solid particles collected in the collector. 12.Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising a mechanism fordisplacing the liquid and solid particles from the collector, at least aportion of the mechanism being positioned outside of the collector. 13.Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising at least one filterarranged in the collector to separate at least some of the solidparticles from the liquid.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 13 whereinthe at least one filter is replaceable with another filter havingdifferent filtering properties.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 2wherein at least a portion of the collector includes a U-shapedcross-section.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the collectorcomprises a floor, at least a portion of the floor having a U-shapedcross-section.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 2 further comprising amechanism configured to separate at least some of the solid particlesfrom the liquid and move the separated solid particles away from thecollector.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the mechanismcollects the collected solid particles in a solids repository. 19.Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the liquids collect in a liquidsrepository.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19 further comprising apump positioned in the liquids repository, the pump configured to pump aslurry of the liquids and at least some solid particles from the liquidsrepository for further filtering.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 2further comprising at least two pads arranged side-by-side, thecollector being positioned between the at least two pads below the atleast one peripheral edge of each pad for collecting the liquid andsolid particles positioned on the top surface of each pad.
 22. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 further comprising liquid processing equipment forrecycling the liquid for reuse as cleaning liquid.
 23. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 further comprising ramps that are removable fromthe at least one pad without removal of fasteners.
 24. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 further comprising structure by which the at leastone pad is mechanically lifted and transported as a unit from onelocation to another location for subsequent use.
 25. Apparatus accordingto claim 1 further comprising an anti-skid material superimposed on atleast a portion of the at least one pad to improve equipment and humantraction.
 26. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising groovesin the top surface of the at least one pad that define flow paths fordraining the liquid.
 27. Apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a ramp structure for ingressing the vehicles and otherequipment onto and off the at least one pad.
 28. Apparatus according toclaim 1 further comprising a source of influent liquid for surfacetreating at least a portion of an exterior of the vehicles and otherequipment.
 29. Apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the source ofinfluent liquid comprises at least one stationary source of pressurizedinfluent liquid.
 30. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprisingat least one scrubber for surface treating the vehicles and otherequipment.
 31. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: atleast two pads each including first and second sides and a top surface,the top surface including at least one peripheral edge and is imperviousfrom the first side to the second side; connecting structure by whichthe at least two pads are joined to form a pad array.
 32. Apparatusaccording to claim 31 wherein the collector is positioned below the atleast one peripheral edge of the at least two pads.
 33. Apparatusaccording to claim 31 wherein the collector is located central of thearray below a space between peripheral edges of the at least two pads.